Jatoba

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril) is a South American tree whose bark, sap, and seed pulp have been used in Amazonian traditional medicine for digestive, respiratory, and energy support.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Traditional uses

Mixed Evidence

Insufficient human clinical evidence supports specific health claims. Preclinical antimicrobial activity has been described.

How it works

Jatoba bark contains tannins, terpenoids, and astilbin and related flavonoids. Preclinical studies report antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activity. Traditional uses include treating digestive issues, fatigue, and fungal infections (Candida). Human clinical evidence is limited and largely absent for specific indications at supplement doses.

Dosage

No standardized dose. Traditional preparations use decoctions of bark; supplement extracts vary.

When and how to take it

No established timing. Take with food to minimize potential GI upset.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Bark extract

Available as powder, tincture, and capsule from herbal suppliers.

Limited PK data.

Safety

Limited modern safety data. Traditional use suggests reasonable tolerability. Pregnancy data is lacking.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data. Use cautiously if you have liver or kidney conditions.

Interactions

No significant interactions reported, but data is limited.

Food sources

Jatoba fruit (West Indian locust)

Amount
Traditional food in parts of Latin America
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

What is jatoba used for?⌄

Traditionally for energy, digestion, and as an antifungal. Modern clinical evidence is limited.

References

Jatoba on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Jatoba on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Jatoba (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.